Magnetic levitation device with mechanical stabilization, especially for models, toy, or design objects

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a magnetic suspension device with mechanical stabilization, for use especially with models, toys or desingn objects. The aim of the invention is to provide a simple end economical device which allows for an object to be suspended at a relatively great height in a permanent and stationary manner and without apparent support. To this end the weight ( 4 ) of an object ( 1 ) is overcome by uncontrolled magnetic repulsion ( 5 ) and the position of the suspended object ( 1 ) is stabilized by means of mechanical tensile forces ( 6 ) which are transmitted from the suspended object ( 1 ) downwards to the lower body ( 2 ) by, for example, thin threads ( 7 ). This invention allows for the magnetic suspension of, for example, model airplanes or design objects.

[0001] This invention relates to a magnetic levitation device, in which an article like a toy, model or design object attains a magnetic levitation state that is mechanically stabilized.

[0002] As already known, it is not possible to let a ferromagnetic body to float freely and in a stabilized state in all the six degrees of freedom by employing permanent magnets or unregulated electromagnets only. For this reason, additional stabilizing devices are used for several apparatus that apply unregulated magnetic forces to support a body. [Dr. rer. nat. Jung Volkhard: Magnetisches Schweben [Magnetic Levitation]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988, Page 26], [Prof. Dr. Schweitzer Gerhard: Magnetlager [Magnetic Bearings]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y., 1993, Page 4].

[0003] Thus, in the case of permanent magnet bearings, stabilization with mechanical supports is familiar [Prof. Dr. Schweitzer Gerhard: Magnetlager [Magnetic Bearings]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1993, Page 86].

[0004] In the area of permanent magnet levitation railways, the versions of application are known to apply wheels or guiding rollers and rails for mechanical stabilization. [Dr. rer. nat Jung Volkhard: Magnetisches Schweben [Magnetic Levitation] Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988, Pages 38-40].

[0005] Furthermore, several magnetic levitation devices are familiar, in which contactless levitation is attained by means of unregulated magnetic forces. Certain high-speed magnetic levitation trains achieve this state through the so-called electrodynamic levitation, though only at a higher traveling speed. [Dr. rer. nat. Jung Volkhard: Magnetisches Schweben [Magnetic Levitation]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988, Page 63].

[0006] Physical experiments showing that a disc made of a superconducting material can float contactless are known. In this case, the disadvantage lies in having to cool down the superconductor to very deep temperatures.

[0007] Moreover, a technical skill-testing toy is known in the form of a permanent magnet made as a gyroscope that is manually impelled into fast rotation and then allowed to float contactless for only a few minutes in an unregulated magnetic field, in which the rotation contributes to a transiently limited stabilization until the rotational velocity is reduced by the friction with air and the gyroscope topples down. [U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,062], [Professional Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, “The Levitron: an adiabatic trap for spins”, 1996, Band A 452, Pages 1207-1220], [Trademark: “Levitron”].

[0008] Contactless floating devices that apply for magnetic levitation and for stabilizing regulated magnetic forces are also familiar. This so-called electromagnetic levitation is, for example, finds application in several magnetic levitation trains [Dr. rer. nat. Jung Volkhard: Magnetisches Schweben [Magnetic Levitation]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y., 1988, Page 41], [Prof Dr. Schweitzer Gerhard: Magnetlager [Magnetic Bearings]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y., 1993, Pages 5-8]. The disadvantage in this case concerns the complex regulating systems comprising sensors, control circuits and electromagnets.

[0009] The invention entails the task of creating a simple and cost-effective device, in which an object floats in a permanent, stationary and apparent freely manner at a relatively great height.

[0010] According to the characteristics described in the Patent claim 1 of the invention, the weight (4) of an object (1) that floats over a bottom body (2) at a height (3) is overcome by an unregulated magnetic repulsion force (5) that acts between the bottom body (2) and the object (1) floating above, and the floating state is stabilized through at least a mechanical tension force (6) that is transmitted from the floating object (1) downwards by means of at least a thin stretched configuration (7), for instance, by means of a thin string (7) towards the bottom body (2).

[0011] The advantages of the invention are characterized in that unregulated magnetic repulsion forces can be generated easily and cost-effectively by means of permanent magnets and the application of tensional forces for stabilizing the floating state enables the use of a stabilization device with minimum material requirement, for instance—thin strings, so that the stabilizing device is hardly visible, and thus achieving an apparently free floatation.

[0012] In further development of the invention, the magnetic repulsive force (5) is generated by magnetic like-poles arranged opposite to each other, according to Patent claim 2.

[0013] Advantageously, according to Patent claim 3, a bottom magnet (9) made of hardferrite is used for generating the repulsive force (5).

[0014] Advantageously, according to Patent claim 4, a top magnet (8) made of neodymium-iron-boron is used for generating the repulsive force (5).

[0015] According to Patent claim 5, the stability of the floating state is appropriately attained.

[0016] In further development of the invention according to Patent claim 6, a higher degree of stability of the floating state is attained through the convergence of stabilizing strings (7) into a hole (16) in the bottom body (2).

[0017] Advantageously, according to Patent claim 7, a high tensile-strength material is used for the thin stretched configuration (7).

[0018] In a further development of the invention according to Patent claim 8, the floating object is made as a commodity or decorative stand.

[0019] In a further development of the invention according to Patent claim 9, the floating object is made as a model (1′) or toy.

[0020] In a further development of the invention according to Patent claim 10, the bottom body is made as a diorama (2′).

[0021] An exemplary version of the invention is depicted in the drawing, in FIG. 1, and is explained below in detail.

[0022] In this exemplary version, the invention consists of a bottom body (2) in which a bottom disc-like permanent magnet (9) made of anisotropic hard-ferrite is located. The height (10) dimension of this round magnet (9) is about factor 0.2 of its diameter (11) in magnitude, and the round magnet is magnetized in this very direction of the height (10). The round magnet (9) is placed on a larger, round iron plate (14). This bottom magnet system, consisting of the permanent magnet (9) and iron plate (14) is horizontally (15) and restrictedly displaceable relative to the bottom body (2). At a floating height (3) above the bottom body (2), that corresponds approximately to factor 0.7 of the diameter (11) of the bottom round magnet (9), a light object (1) floats and contains a top flat permanent magnet (8) made of neodymium-iron-boron magnetic material. Even this top magnet (8) is magnetized in the direction of its height (12), but is remarkably smaller than the bottom magnet (9), relative to its dimensions. Both north poles of the bottom and top magnets (9 and 8) lie horizontally opposite each other, thus imparting a magnetic repulsive force (5) aligned opposite to the weight (4) of the floating object (1). Along the outer perimeter of the floating object (1), three strings (7) are fastened, equidistantly. These strings (7) transmit tensional forces (6) downwards to the bottom body (2) and are hence under tension. All three strings (7) run through a middle bore (16) in the bottom body (2), where they are fastened.

[0023] The function of the bottom magnet (9) entails generating an upwardly spread magnetic field, where the object (1) can float. The iron plate (14) is in principle not necessary, although it substantially improves the efficiency of the bottom magnet (9) by aligning the magnetic flux. A stabilized floating state of the object (1) is attained, in that the object (1) floats at a height (3) above the bottom magnet (9) such that the magnetic repulsive force (5) is greater than its weight (4), in which the strings (7) that pull the floating object (1) downwards, are under tension. This pretension of the strings (7) prevents the object (1) from rotating and toppling down. The convergence of the stabilization strings (7) into a passage point (16) on the bottom body (2) attains a high degree of stability of the flotation state and facilitates that the object (1) executes movements whilst floating. The floating position of the object (1) can be influenced by horizontal shifting (15) of the bottom magnet (9) relative to the bottom body (2) via the string-passage point (16).

[0024] Another exemplary version of the invention is depicted in the drawing, FIG. 2, and the essentials are described below. In this version the bottom body (2′) is made as a diorama (2′) and depicts a landscape in model scale (1). Above this diorama (2′) that conceals the bottom magnet (9), a model (1′) floats, accommodating the top magnet (8) in the model's fuselage. Stabilization of the floating state is ensured by means of three thin strings (7), fastened on the model (1′) and converging downwards into a bore (16) inside the diorama (2′). If the stabilizing strings (7) are made thinner than 0.04 mm, the strings (7) are nearly invisible and create an impression of a freely floating model (1′).

[0025] Another exemplary version of the invention is depicted in the drawing, FIG. 3, and the essentials are described below. In this version, the fastening point (17) is located on the floating object (1 a) for the stabilizing strings (7) at a distance below the top magnet (8). The stabilizing tensile force (6 a) in this case is aligned downwards and transmitted by a single string (7) towards the string passage point (16) on the bottom body (2 a).

[0026] Another exemplary version of the invention is depicted in the drawing, FIG. 4, and the essentials are described below. In this version, additional stabilization strings (7 b) start from the floating object (1 b) and are aligned obliquely downwards and outwards to the bottom body (2 a). This additional stabilization facilitates a greater floatation height (3). 

1. Magnetic floating device with mechanical stabilization, characterized in that at least an object (1) floats above at least a bottom body (2) at a height (3), in which the weight (4) of the object (1) is overcome by unregulated magnetic repulsive force (5), acting between the bottom body (2) and the object (1) floating above it, and the position of the floating object (1) is stabilized through at least a mechanical tensional force (6), transmitted through at least a thin stretched configuration (7), for instance, like a string running from the floating object (1) downwards to the bottom body (2).
 2. Floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the magnetic repulsive force (5) is generated such that in the area around the floating object (1) at least a top magnet (8) is located or that the floating object fully or partially consists of a top magnet and in the area around the bottom body (2) at least a bottom magnet (9) is located, or that the bottom body fully or partially consists of a bottom magnet, and the like magnetic poles of the top and bottom magnets (8 and 9) lie opposite to each other.
 3. Bottom magnet for the floating device according to Patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the bottom magnet (9), of which the application is intended below a magnetically floating object (1), consists of one or several permanent magnets, for example, made of a hardferrite, in which the height's (10) dimension of the bottom magnet (9) is smaller than in the width (11).
 4. Top magnet for the floating device according to Patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the top magnet (8), of which the application is intended around a magnetically floating object (1), consists of one or several permanent magnets, for instance, made of neodymium-iron-boron, in which the height's (12) dimension of the top magnet (8) is smaller than in the width (13).
 5. Floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the floating height (3) of the object (1) is set with the help of at least one thin stretched configuration (7) so that the magnetic repulsive force (5) is greater than the weight (4) of the object (1), so that at least a thin stretched configuration (7) is under tension.
 6. Floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, at least a thin stretched configuration (7) is aligned from the floating object (1) vertically or obliquely downwards, or that at least two thin stretched configurations from the floating object (1) converge downwards.
 7. Thin strings or wires for the floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the thin stretched configuration (7) fully or partially consists of at least one fiber or string, for instance, made of a plastic or synthetic fiber, especially polyamide or polyaramide or polyethylene or glass or carbon fiber, or that the thin stretched configuration (7) consists of at least a thin wire, for instance, stainless steel wire, or that at least two thin stretched configurations are electrically conductive and that electric energy is conducted through them to the floating object (1).
 8. Floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the floating object is made as a design object (1 b) or as a carrier for other things, for instance, as a commodity or ornamental stand, or used for presentation of goods or jewelry.
 9. Model or toy for the floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the magnetically floating object is made as a model (1′) or toy and that in a model or toy scale it imitates an air-machine or aircraft or vehicle or space-flight object or spaceship.
 10. Bottom body for the floating device according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that, the bottom body is made as a diorama (2′) or as a vignette, or imitates an environment or landscape or scenery in a model or toy scale. 